Kyoto Colors - Gardens & Temples

"The Slope of Women," Chion-in Temple

Having climbed up the steep stairs of the Sanmon Gate, you need to still climb the even longer column of stairs to get to the main temple complex. There are two choices—one called Otoko-zaka (Slope for Men) and the other called onna-zaka (Slope for Women). Shown here is the Slope for Women, which is less steep than the Slope for Men. People are free to use whichever slope they want to reach the temple.